The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-01
NOT so VERY BAD AFTER ALL
Gov. Gray Explains that He Doesn't Con-
denim the Reformatory Management.
He Tells Reporter that the Institution Is as
Well Governed as Possible Under Existing
Laws-A Discharged Prisoners Story.

In an interview published in an afternoon pa
per, yesterday, Governor Gray is reported as
saying that the statement of Miss Kelly, super
intendent of the Female Reforma tory regard
ing the methods of furnishing prisoners in the
institution, is, in the main, correct, and ne
adds II want it distinctly understood that
there is no quarrel between me and the manage
ment OF the Resormatory. The institution is
about as we'll governed as possible under the ex-
listing laws controlineit. There is really moth
ing to make a sensation about" He is also
credited with saying that while he did not ap-
prove OF the Handwriting of prisoners.
there could be other modes OF
punishment in the institution, as
it is now constructed. He continues, "there
must De q change in appliances before there is
cnange In the methods OF Furnishing. Ranecuff-
ing, as practiced there, is not cruel punish
ment-not even severe-but it is mode that
can De abused and grossly misrepresented. For
this reason the public is prejudIced against it,
ana 1t should be discontinued. But with the
cells now used it is unavoidable. The places of
confinement should be lined with solid plates Of
iron, as they are In the mems prisons. The pris-
oners are now able to destroy them. One in
stance is recorded Of wGman who picked the
door entirely ont in one night. Walls have been
broken through and sheet-iron ceilings torn off,"
Inc Governor also says he thinks the
punishment is not efficient "a severe
punishment" he says "a severe punishment
may be inefficient. and fail to accomplish the
discipline needed. The manner and efficiency
are more TO be considered than the severity.
ne trouble 10, as a prison the institution IS
Iaiiure, and do not understand that the inten-
ton was TO take it for granted that hardened
criminals are there particularly to be reformed.
f"n can't take it for granted. They are cri NJ
mails under sentence. For certain crimes they
have forfeited their liberty, and should be
treated az prisoners, the same as men are IN the
women should feel that they are in a peniten-
tiary by being subject TO prison rules. There
are two totally distinct classes of inmates there
under virtually the same treatment"
10 another paper the Governor denies having
stated to Miss Kelly that the punishment had
hosn too light. rather than too severe. Tho
testimony | took out there" he added. Il have
not given to the papers, for the simple reason
that believed some of it was exaggerated and
untruthfuL l simply told the reporters such
general facts as were, in my opinion, established
beyond a doubt by what aud heard at the
institution. Prisoners always complain of and
frequently lie about their treatment by the
prison officers, and l did not think it proper to
make public such statements as some of them
made WHAT has been published was substan-
italy the facts, as bslieve them to exist"
An inmate Of the Reformatory from June
1886. until May, 1887, who was credited by the
officers with being exceptionally good pris-
oner, has written two letters to Mrs. j. T. Moore
OF this city, in which she states that the abuses
at the psLtution are quite as bad as repre-
sented. In one OF the letters she says: 81 could
tell you things which would make the very hair
stand on your head-how the poor girls
and thrown into little. dark. damp cell and
Kept there for week, two weeks, three weeks
on four slices of old bread and two of
ter day, and three OF four old comforts to lie
on. When the Legislature went through they
would not allow any of them to talk to the in
mates. and they did not take them the
punishment cells and they wanted and would
nave put one OF the door, sickly lifetime women
In the punishment cell because she wanted
to talk to the legislators In another
letter. dated Oct. 8. she refers to the present
superintendent There
are lots of girls and who lose their
health on account of their treatment. Ii is the
most inhuman of anything Why, the very
worst criIni nails in the male peniten tiaries
treated with more respect than some OF those
poor women and girls, and it would make the
very hair raise persons head to know of
some of it. would vote for Mrs Elmina John
son to be SUPERINTENDENT any time. but Miss
Kelly is not fitted for the position. [
was treated very we'll, but L girls
knocked down. hAndcuffed on their feet, bucked
the hair of the head the cell. like they
were mad beasts. and for nothing and this when
they were in a condition to be treated tenderly.
know there is law for such treatment.
More than that, they were kept in the nasty.
cold damp cell in the dark until they were SO
poor and weak they could hardly walk. It is a
disgrace to the State of Indiana: and if person
could get four FIVE of these that had been
treated in this style TO tell how it done, and
show some of the marks left on them. there
might be something done. Icould name several.
went there. learned more meanness.
and heard of more mean things, and was told of
more mean tricks than could tell in two years.
! tell You, it's awful"